Thankful for all these people!

day 29 of 31: prayer request

My prayer request tonight is for my mom.  She had a scratchy throat yesterday and this morning woke up with hardly any voice and an "icky" feeling.  She went to the doctor this afternoon because she wasn't feeling any better.  She tested negative for the flu but has most of the symptoms.

Please pray for my mom. Pray and ask God to put His healing touch on her body.  The doctor has asked her to remain home as much as possible and only come out for the wedding.  Sadly this means she'll miss a lot of the girl activities on Friday and the rehearsal. 

Please please pray that she'll feel better before Friday!  Also please pray protection over my dad, me, and Mark as we do not want to get sick as well.  Thank you for taking time to say a prayer for my mom, her name is Beverley.  As I said yesterday, God is sovereign and He is in control.  He has all power and I know He can heal her and keep the rest of us from getting sick too!  Thanks again!

Day 28 of 31: snow in the south

Mom and I walked outside today to see these white flurries falling from the sky. Yes it's snowing here in the south! For us, this is a rare treat and it kept snowing for another 6 hours.

Even though snow is the last thing I expected to see the week leading up to my marriage, I am thankful for snow in the south.  Because we don't normally get snow, it's just one more reminder that our God is sovereign and in control. If He wants it to snow in the south, He can make it happen.

He is bigger than any normal weather patterns and He is big enough to bring in snow one day and have 60 degree weather on either side of it!  I love that about God! He can do as he pleases and he chose to send His Son Jesus into the world because it pleased Him and His perfect will! 

So yes, I praise God for the snow in the south. He is the God of the impossible! As Mark and I enter into marriage this Saturday, I pray we wouldn't forget God's sovereignty and submit our lives to Him and His authority! 

day 27 of 31:bridal march preview!

So one of my favorite scenes from the movie "Love Actually" is the scene where the boy Sam runs through the airport being chased by security to tell the girl Johanna who is boarding a flight back to the states that he loves her.  Sam is willing to risk getting in trouble with airport security to tell Johanna he loves her.  He is determined to get to the airplane before she takes off because he'd regret not telling her he loves her.

The theme song that is played during the chase to the gate is one of my favorite songs.  I've always thought I'd like to walk down the aisle to this song because it makes me all giddy and happy that there is a love out there that ignites people to do crazy things (like run through entire airports to tell someone you love them.)  It's very fanfare like and I like that too because there has been a build up to the BIG DAY and I'm super excited it's finally here!! 

So yes, let's shout it from the rooftops, blast the cannons, Saturday February 1st I Katie Hooks get to marry the love of my life and I'm EXCITED about it!  I praise God that the day is so close and that in His perfect timing, I get to marry my best friend!  And if I had to run through airport security to tell Mark I loved him, I hope I would do it too!

Here is the link to the scene on youtube.  I can't wait to walk (and maybe run) down the aisle on Saturday towards Mark with this song playing in the background! Just makes me smile!

day 26 of 31: I'm thankful for...

Tonight's blog was Mark's idea.  He said I should write up 6 things I'm thankful for since we have 6 more days til we say "I do!"

#1) I'm thankful for my fiance who helps me when I'm in need of ideas and encouragement.  I'm super excited that in 6 days I get to be your wife and journey together down this road called life! Thanks Mark for being someone I could talk to and for being there to listen and encourage me.

#2) I'm thankful for my parents.  They have let me stay at home, fed me, housed my junk, let me borrow their car to run errands and see friends, loved and supported me.  I am blessed that I've had this time at home before getting married to spend time with them.  Even though I'll always be their daughter, I know the dynamics will change once I'm married so I'm thankful now for this time.

#3) I'm thankful for my Savior Jesus! He didn't come to condemn the world but to save it!  He loves you and He loves me.  He died that I may have eternal life.  He has given my life an eternal purpose: to worship Him, to know Him, and make Him known.  My identity isn't found in being a wife or a daughter or a missionary, my identity is solely wrapped up in a daughter of the King, King Jesus!

#4) I'm thankful for the amazing women God has put in my life.  For the slightly older ones who pour into me and pass on their wisdom to me. For my peers who share life with me, the hard, the good, and the fun!  For my babies, you know who you are. Thank you for letting me invest into your lives and get to see you grow as young women after the Lord's heart.

#5) I'm thankful for my supporters.  I'm still in awe of the fact that for the last 5.5 years I have been supported by the love and generosity of the body of Christ.  People have sacrificially given to me that I may live out my calling in full-time ministry.  I'm so thankful that they have answered the call to give cheerfully and faithfully!  I can't wait to see their reward in heaven for coming alongside me!

#6) I'm thankful to GET MARRIED ON SATURDAY!!! It's been a long road I must admit. Singleness is hard in a world that tells you that only another person can make you complete.  (bologna!!)  God is the only One who can make you complete!  But He did create Eve because He is a God of relationships and saw it wasn't good for man to be alone.   He made a helper suitable for him.  I'm thankful that I've found my helper and I can't wait to exchange our vows before God and everyone that I'm forever committed to Mark!